STAY HEALTHY
Tennessee led the nation in missed starts the past two seasons, and injuries were the primary reason why. Coach Jeremy Pruitt has brought in a new strength and conditioning staff and a new athletic trainer and changed the team surgeons to try to alleviate this problem. The Volunteers have some proven talent on both sides of the ball, but it’s imperative that those players stay healthy if the team is going to exceed modest expectations in Pruitt’s first year. Before last season began, starting right tackle Chance Hall and starting middle linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. were lost for the season. In the first game, star receiver Jauan Jennings and kick returner Evan Berry went down. It’s almost as if the Vols were doomed before their season truly began. Injuries will happen, but it’s key that Tennessee get some better luck in this regard.
PULL AN UPSET
The Vols are likely to be underdogs against West Virginia and Florida in the first month of the season. A win against either of those teams would be a tremendous boost to Tennessee’s bowl aspirations and the team’s momentum before a brutal stretch of games in the middle of the schedule. Without a win over the Mountaineers or Gators, Tennessee might need a 4-0 November to attain bowl eligibility. Upsetting at least one opponent before November arrives would provide some margin for error in November.
DEVELOP SECONDARY
Cornerback is the position with the most uncertainty on Tennessee’s roster, and it’s also the position that figures to be tested most in the season opener against West Virginia and prolific quarterback Will Grier. The defensive-minded Pruitt works with the secondary in practice, so it’s his personal mission to develop a group of cornerbacks who can defend some of the elite receivers on the schedule. The Vols get somewhat of a break from great opposing passing attacks after West Virginia, but the challenges resume in October. Tennessee must find cornerbacks who can play press coverage and free Pruitt to call blitzes without fear.